The 2011 CVIAQ Industry Recognition Award was awarded to the CVIAQ Presidents’ Charity Dinner Organising Committee in its tenth year of service in raising funds for the Leukaemia Foundation. The presentation of the Award took place during the CVIAQ Annual Dinner and Awards night held at the Sebel & Citigate Hotels King George Square on Saturday 12th November 2011.

The CVIAQ Industry Recognition Award is for CVIAQ members and individual employees and groups consisting principally of CVIAQ members within the transport sector. The award provides recognition without limitation to any particular field. It recognises excellence in performance or outstanding achievement and any other factor resulting in a significant contribution to the commercial vehicle industry.

The CVIAQ Presidents’ Charity Dinner Committee comprises Mr Mark Johnston (Haulmark Trailers), Mr Chris Musch (Isuzu Australia), Ms Sharon O’Phee (O’Phee Trailers), Mr Glen Lewis (Vital Training) and Mr Mark Strambi (Manheim Fowles Auction Group). With the exception of Mr Mark Johnston who was unable to attend, the committee was present on the night to receive their awards.

Since 2002, the Charity Dinner organising committee has worked with a sense of passion and pride, volunteering their time to help out a needy cause and doing it unselfishly and without reward.

The very first dinner, in 2002, was organised to assist CVIAQ Past-President Mr Allyn Eckford, also an original committee member, who after being diagnosed with Leukaemia in 1998 tragically passed away in 2004. Following the first dinner, a commitment was made by the committee members to continue the good work.

In its tenth year, the CVIAQ Presidents Charity Dinner, now a hugely successful event, has raised close to one million dollars for the Leukaemia Foundation. All of the funds raised have gone to assisting patients and their families living with Leukaemia, Lymphoma and other related blood diseases, and to the ongoing research into a cure for Leukaemia.

The committee received acclaim from the members and guests present and are clearly worthy award recipients.